Neil Wilkinson BA
Neil Wilkinson is a contemporary artist known for his evocative oil paintings of dramatic landscapes, with a special emphasis on expansive cloudscapes and the shifting interplay of light, shadow, and colour on water. Inspired by the wide skies and tidal beauty of Morecambe Bay and the South Lakes, his work captures both the physical atmosphere and emotional depth of these natural spaces.
A hallmark of Neil’s practice is his fascination with cloudscapes—not just their form, but the subtle, shifting colours they contain. Skies often dominate his compositions, setting the emotional tone and offering a powerful visual presence. Many of his landscapes also feature historic and iconic markers, subtly anchoring his work in real, identifiable locations, and deepening the viewer’s connection to the land.
Working primarily in oil on canvas, Neil uses the richness and flexibility of the medium to build delicate layers of light, texture, and tone. His paintings are known for their silk-like, matte finish—never shiny—which enhances their sense of softness and stillness, drawing the viewer gently into the scene. His landscapes are intentionally free of human figures, as he believes their presence would disrupt the solitude and serenity he strives to evoke. These are quiet, contemplative spaces, inviting personal reflection and immersion in nature.
Neil holds a BA in Surface Pattern Design. His early career was rooted in the design industry, where he produced original artwork for carpets, wallcoverings, and textiles across Europe and the USA. He later earned a Teaching Certificate and went on to teach Art and Design at colleges in the North West, all while continuing to build a portfolio of commissioned work.
His artistic voice is shaped by a diverse range of influences—from the Dutch Masters of the 16th and 17th centuries, to Impressionism, the St Ives School, and the bold aesthetic of Pop Art. He is particularly inspired by artists such as Peter Blake and David Hockney, whose work resonates with his own love of colour and atmosphere.
8, King Street